shy

pluralshies

degrees shyer - shyest

conjugation shying - shied - shied

adjective: nervous around other people
- Don't be shy, ask your question.
- The child hid behind his mother, shy of strangers.
adjective: reluctant or unwilling to do something
- The company is shy about revealing its profits.
- He’s shy of making big decisions quickly.
adjective: short of a particular amount or just under a target
- The fundraiser raised $9,500, shy of its $10,000 goal.